Football: CSKA Moscow reject Honda bid, Kaka back on AC Milan's menu

Japan's Keisuke Honda after an international friendly at Miyagi Stadium on Aug 14, 2013. AC Milan will put off signing Honda until January, meaning the focus is now on bringing Real Madrid forward Kaka back to the club, reports in Italy said on Saturday, Aug 31, 2013. -- FILE PHOTO: AFP

MILAN (AFP) - AC Milan will put off signing Japanese forward Keisuke Honda until January, meaning the focus is now on bringing Real Madrid forward Kaka back to the club, reports in Italy said Saturday.

Milan CEO Adriano Galliani confirmed Friday he was trying to lure Honda or Kaka to the club, with the priority being the Japan international forward because he could fill in for Kevin-Prince Boateng, sold to Schalke 04 on Friday.

Reports on Saturday, however, said Milan's 3m euro bid, plus bonuses, for the CSKA Moscow player had been rejected by the Russian club.

Gazzetta dello Sport said Milan will now hope to sign Honda in January on a free transfer as his contract expires on December 31, meaning they can turn their attention on luring Kaka back to the club where he scored 70 goals in 193 appareances between 2003 and 2009.

Kaka launched a come and get me plea to the Rossoneri in midweek and although he appears keen to return - with the carrot of regular playing time a year before Brazil hosts the World Cup - there are disagreements over personal terms.

Gazzetta said Milan had offered annual wages of 3m euros while the Brazilian forward was hoping for 8m.

Milan's push to bolster their squad before Monday's transfer deadline comes days after they qualified for the group stages of the Champions League.

The Serie A giants sold Boateng to Bundesliga side Schalke 04 for a reported 12 million euros on Friday and confirmed the signing of Juventus striker Alessandro Matri for approximately the same amount.

The Straits Times

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